LEADERS of a primary school in Mangotsfield say they are “moving rapidly forward”, after the regulator called for improvements.
Three inspectors from Ofsted visited Barley Close Primary School in May for a two-day assessment.
They said the school ‘requires improvement’ in three areas – quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management – as well as overall.
Two other areas – personal development and early years provision – were said to be ‘good’.
The graded inspection followed a shorter Ofsted visit last year that flagged “weaknesses” in the curriculum at the school, which has 278 pupils aged from four to 11.
In its new report, published in June, Ofsted said: “Since the previous inspection, the school has prioritised the development of the curriculum.”
The inspectors said the curriculum was “broad and ambitious” but improvements were at an early stage and it “does not yet support pupils to build their knowledge well over time”.
They said the school needed to better understand what pupils know, and find gaps in their learning.
Ofsted highlighted the priority given to reading and “strong focus on communication and language”, with support given to pupils who fall behind.
The inspectors also praised the science curriculum but said that in maths, pupils were “not secure with the basic number facts, such as timetables and number bonds”.
They said some pupils lose focus in lessons and find it hard to concentrate at times.
Ofsted also said the school needs to tackle a “high rate of absence”, with more rigorous monitoring and analysis of attendance.
The inspectors praised many aspects of the school, including support for pupils with special educational needs or disabilities and a personal, social and health education programme which “widens pupils’ horizons and prepares them well, as they look to their adult life”.
They said: “Pupils enjoy school. They feel safe.
“Relationships between adults and pupils are positive.
“The school’s work to promote pupils’ personal development is a strength.”
Head teacher Jo Williams said she was pleased the inspectors had recognised the school’s successful Early Years provision, reading support and strength in promoting children’s personal development and life skills.
She said the school had been working since before the 2023 inspection on an “ambitious” curriculum design, alongside the council, school improvement advisors and other local schools.
She said: “We were fully aware that we still had work to do in this area and even since the inspection in May we have continued to improve the curriculum further. This was planned already.
“Designing a rich and bespoke curriculum that meets the needs of all our children takes time to put in place, grow and embed.
“We are confident that we are moving rapidly forward and that in the next 12 months the curriculum will be fully embedded, with a sequential programme of study that allows any gaps in learning to be addressed.
“Attendance is a concern that we are well aware of and that we have been working hard to improve.
“We will continue to work alongside families and other professionals who can support parents and carers who find it difficult to get their children to school.”